Safe Holiday Starts With A Safe Tree

December 15, 1989|By Nancy Maes.

For decorating the exterior of the house, use lights that are appropriate for outdoors. They should be securely fastened so the wind won`t toss them around and damage them. When stringing lights on the tree, take the time to attach them securely, making sure they are not in contact with needles, branches or ornaments. Although homemade trimmings created by young children can be charming, they should be made with materials that are noncombustible or flame-resistant as should all tree decorations.

Schneidwind remembers a Christmas at his house when his family kept old-fashioned lights with big bulbs lighted all day on the tree. ``The heat was sufficient enough to melt a plastic ornament placed next to a light,`` he recalls, ``but we didn`t have an incident because I came upon it in time.``

If no one had been home, something minor could have resulted in major damage, so it is always a good idea to turn off all the lights on trees and decorations before leaving the house.

Fires in a fireplace add a festive glow to holiday celebrations, but they should not be allowed to get out of hand. ``Always protect your home and your family by using a sturdy screen when burning fires,`` cautions Reynolds.

``Remember to burn only wood-never burn paper or pine boughs that can float out the chimney and ignite a neighboring house.``

In the poem ``A Visit from St. Nicholas,`` ``the stockings are hung from the chimney with care,`` and it seems only appropriate to decorate the mantel for Santa`s arrival. But remember that Christmas stockings, beautiful wreaths and pine boughs are also fuel for fire.

With furniture being rearranged to make room for Christmas trees, make sure you haven`t blocked the escape routes you would use in case of fire. Schneidwind says it is always a good idea-and especially at Christmastime-to have an all-purpose fire extinguisher handy in the house that can be used on all types of fires, from burning wood and paper to those caused by flammable liquids and electricity.

And he concludes with advice that is valid all year long. ``We recommend checking the batteries of smoke detectors on a monthly basis, and